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| United States Patent |
5,635,101
|
|
Janke
, et al.
|
June 3, 1997
|
Deicing composition and method
Abstract
Disclosed is a new and improved, environmentally acceptable and negligibly
corrosive deicing composition comprising by-products from a wet milling
process of corn, which by-products are biodegradable. The invention also
relates to the use of a deicing composition in a manner that helps to
reduce the buildup of snow and ice on roads, bridges and other outdoor
surfaces.
| Inventors:
|
Janke; George A. (5600 N. Poinsettia, #1507, West Palm Beach, FL 33407);
Johnson, Jr.; Warren D. (511 SW. Bay Pointe Cir., Palm City, FL 34990)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
589497 |
| Filed:
|
January 22, 1996 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
252/70; 106/13; 106/14.11; 106/14.14; 106/14.44 |
| Intern'l Class: |
C09K 003/18; C09K 003/00 |
| Field of Search: |
106/13,14.11,14.44,14.14
252/70
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4106487 | Aug., 1978 | Randall et al. | 127/23.
|
| 4283297 | Aug., 1981 | Peters | 252/70.
|
| 4359528 | Nov., 1982 | Devos et al. | 435/43.
|
| 4440792 | Apr., 1984 | Bradford et al. | 426/271.
|
| 4486458 | Dec., 1984 | Bradford et al. | 426/618.
|
| 4585571 | Apr., 1986 | Bloom | 106/13.
|
| 4588512 | May., 1986 | Rippie | 252/70.
|
| 4664832 | May., 1987 | Sandvig et al. | 252/70.
|
| 4676918 | Jun., 1987 | Toth | 252/70.
|
| 4746449 | May., 1988 | Peel | 252/70.
|
| 4824588 | Apr., 1989 | Lin | 252/70.
|
| 4980282 | Dec., 1990 | de Troostembergh et al. | 435/43.
|
| 5067982 | Nov., 1991 | Caransa et al. | 127/67.
|
| 5135674 | Aug., 1992 | Kuhajek | 252/70.
|
| 5302307 | Apr., 1994 | Ireland | 252/70.
|
| 5324442 | Jun., 1994 | Mathews | 252/70.
|
| 5366650 | Nov., 1994 | Wiesenfeld | 252/70.
|
| 5376292 | Dec., 1994 | Lucas | 252/70.
|
Primary Examiner: Green; Anthony
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dominik; Jack E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An antifreeze and deicing composition for inhibiting the accumulation of
snow and ice on outdoor surfaces, which composition comprises from 14 to
80% by weight of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of
water, said steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling process
for corn.
2. An antifreeze and deicing composition for inhibiting the accumulation of
snow and ice on outdoor surfaces, which composition comprises: a mixture
of (1) skid-reducing aggregate, and (2) an admixture of from 14 to 80% by
weight of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said
steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling process for corn.
3. The antifreeze and deicing composition of claim 2, wherein the
skid-reducing aggregate is comprised of sand.
4. The antifreeze and deicing composition of claim 2, wherein the
skid-reducing aggregate is comprised of river gravel.
5. The antifreeze and deicing composition of claim 2, wherein the
skid-reducing aggregate is comprised of cinders.
6. The antifreeze and deicing composition of claim 2, wherein the
skid-reducing aggregate is comprised of sawdust.
7. The antifreeze and deicing composition of claim 2, wherein the
skid-reducing aggregate is comprised of manufactured grit.
8. An antifreeze and deicing composition for inhibiting the accumulation of
ice and snow on roadways, which composition comprises: a mixture of (1) at
least one component selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride,
calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium
magnesium acetate and urea, and (2) an admixture of from 14 to 80% by
weight of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said
steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling process for corn.
9. The composition of claim 8, wherein said at least one component is
sodium chloride.
10. The composition of claim 8, wherein said at least one component is
calcium chloride.
11. A method for inhibiting the accumulation of snow and ice on outdoor
surfaces, which method comprises: applying to the outdoor surfaces, or to
the snow and ice accumulated thereon, a composition containing from 14 to
80% by weight of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of
water, said composition being applied at a rate of from 20 to 60 gallons
per lane mile, said steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling
process for corn.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition further contains at
least one component selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride,
calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium
magnesium acetate and urea.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition further contains a
skid-reducing aggregate.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the skid-reducing aggregate is
comprised of sand.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the skid-reducing aggregate is
comprised of river gravel.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the skid-reducing aggregate is
comprised of cinders.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the skid-reducing aggregate is
comprised of sawdust.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the skid-reducing aggregate is
comprised of manufactured grit.
19. A corrosion-inhibiting composition which comprises from 14 to 80% by
weight of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said
steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling process for corn.
20. A corrosion-inhibiting composition for inhibiting the corrosive effects
of a chloride salt said composition comprising from 14 to 80% by weight of
steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said steepwater
solubles being formed using a wet milling process for corn.
21. The corrosion-inhibiting composition of claim 20, wherein the choride
salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, calcium
chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride.
22. A corrosion-inhibiting composition for inhibiting the corrosive effects
of sodium chloride, said composition comprising from 14 to 80% by weight
of steepwater solubles and from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said
steepwater solubles being formed using a wet milling process for corn.
23. An antifreeze composition for inhibiting the accumulation of snow and
ice which comprises from 14 to 80% by weight of steepwater solubles and
from 20 to 86% by weight of water, said steepwater solubles being formed
using a wet milling process for corn.
24. A deicing composition for inhibiting the accumulation of snow and ice
which comprises from 14 to 80% by weight of steepwater solubles and from
20 to 86% by weight of water, said steepwater solubles being formed using
a wet milling process for corn.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an environmentally acceptable and
negligibly corrosive deicing composition comprising by-products from a wet
milling process of corn, which by-products are biodegradable. The
invention also relates to the use of a deicing composition in a manner
that helps to reduce the buildup of snow and ice on roads, bridges,
runways, taxiways and other outdoor surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that the ice and snow located on roads and bridges
significantly slow traffic and pose increased danger to the general
public. Mechanical snow removal is often used to alleviate some of the
traffic problems. It is also known that chemical compounds, such as
chloride salts, whether in solid form or in solution or in admixture with
sand and other substances, are often used to treat the roadways to melt
snow and ice. Most deicing compounds, however, are environmentally
harmful, and therefore, municipalities are often restricted in the amounts
and types of substances that they may use to help control the buildup of
snow and ice.
Most chemicals used to treat roadways are detrimental for the following
reasons: They damage the soil and surrounding vegetation because the salts
turn the soil alkaline and are also absorbed into the root systems of the
plants; They damage freshwater streams, rivers and lakes and are often
absorbed into underground water systems; and, The salts cause significant
damage to vehicles, as well as concrete and metallic structures that are
near roadways because of the corrosive effects of said salts. It is well
known that many salts cause spalling in concrete structures, which
significantly reduce the strength and life of such structures. For the
foregoing reasons, many states have banned the use of salts, while others
have placed significant restrictions on the usage of salts.
It is known that it is desirable to replace the corrosive salts with
non-corrosive substances, such as alcohols and glycols, but because of
their flammability, toxicity and expense, these other substances have not
been effectively and economically utilized to date.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an environmentally acceptable
anti-freeze and deicing composition whose active ingredient is a
by-product of a wet milling process of corn, known in the industry as
steepwater. The composition is water soluble, negligibly corrosive,
inexpensive, and widely-available in large quantities. The present
invention is also directed to the use of said deicing composition to help
keep roads, bridges, runways taxiways and other outdoor surfaces free of
ice and snow.
Generally, substances that are to be used as deicers must have the
following characteristics: suitable water solubility; a low freezing
temperature in solution; availability on an industrial scale at a low
cost; non-corrosiveness; environmentally acceptable; and capable of being
applied by generally known and available means.
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention
to provide an anti-freeze and deicing composition suitable for making
surfaces free of snow and ice, which composition is water soluble, has a
low freezing temperature, is cheaply and readily available in large
industrial quantities throughout the world, is negligibly corrosive, is
environmentally friendly, and is capable of being applied with currently
available equipment and by existing crews.
A related object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally
friendly, negligibly corrosive deicing composition at a cost-competitive
price.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
environmentally friendly, negligibly corrosive deicing composition that
can be used in admixtures with sand, river gravel, cinders, sawdust, or
other skid-reducing, manufactured grit, and subsequently applied to roads,
bridges, runways, taxiways and other surfaces where it is desirable to
keep said surfaces free of snow and ice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally
friendly deicing composition that can be used to pretreat roads, bridges
and other outdoor surfaces prior to the accumulation of snow and ice to
prevent the adherence of snow and ice to said surfaces.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
environmentally friendly, negligibly corrosive deicing composition that
can be used in admixtures or mixtures with other chemical deicing agents
and/or skid-reducing chemical agents and subsequently applied to roads,
bridges, runways, taxiways, and other surfaces where it is desirable to
keep said surfaces free of snow and ice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for making
roads, bridges, runways, taxiways and other outdoor surfaces free of ice
and snow, which process comprises applying the deicing composition of the
present invention onto such surfaces, either by itself prior to ice or
snow, or in mixture or admixture with chemical deicing or other
skid-reducing additives.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The deicing composition of the present invention is a by-product of a wet
milling process of shelled corn. A wet milling process is often employed
to obtain staple products such as corn oil, dextrose, corn syrup, high
fructose corn syrup, dextrins, dry starches and animal feeds. The
principle steps in a wet milling of corn include steeping, milling,
recovering and processing. During the steeping process, corn kernels are
softened by soaking them in a hot solution containing a very small amount
of sulfurous acid. The softened kernels are then separated from the
steepwater and further processed depending upon the desired end product.
The remaining steepwater contains solubles which, after the steepwater is
evaporated and/or dried, are typically recovered for use as nutritional
additives in feeds for livestock.
A wet milling process by-product is used as the active substance in the
composition of the present invention. Accordingly, the deicing composition
of the present invention comprises in an amount of between 14 to 80% by
weight of steepwater solubles in admixture with between 20 to 86% by
weight of water, which composition may be further admixed with optional
additives. As optional additives, the following substances may be used:
sand, river gravel, cinders, sawdust and other skid-reducing, manufactured
grit, as well as other chemical deicing agents. The compositions of the
present invention are excellently suited to serve as anti-freeze and
deicing agents for helping to make and/or keep roads, bridges and other
surfaces free of snow and ice. Optimally, the deicing composition of the
present invention is applied to road surfaces prior to the accumulation of
snow and ice, which application will help prevent the snow and ice from
adhering to the road surfaces. Subsequent to the accumulation of snow and
ice, the deicing composition of the present invention is again applied,
but this time to the accumulated snow and ice. The two-step application
will facilitate removal of the accumulated snow and ice by plows and other
mechanical methods.
Given that many municipalities typically purchase bulk quantities of
chloride salts and other chemical anti-icing agents, it is foreseeable
that the composition of the present invention may be mixed or admixed with
chloride salts, and possibly calcium magnesium acetate (though the
addition of chloride salts, depending on its concentration, may degrade
the low corrosiveness and the environmentally friendliness of the present
invention). Once they have purchased the large quantities of other
chemicals, most municipalities will be inclined to utilize such chemicals
even if they must mix only a small amount with the more effective, more
acceptable composition of the present invention, though clearly, such a
combination is less than optimal from the environmental perspective.
The deicing composition of the present invention also serves as a corrosion
inhibiting agent when mixed with corrosive salts. Tests have shown that
the corrosive effect of an admixture of the composition of the present
invention with a five percent by weight of chloride salts is significantly
less than for example, an admixture of 95 percent water and five percent
salts. Thus, the composition of the present invention can be effectively
mixed with small amounts of salt without significantly affecting the other
characteristics of the composition.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a process for
making road surfaces free of snow and ice is provided, said process
comprising the application of the composition of the present invention
onto the road surfaces prior to icing or snow accumulation. The
composition may be preferably applied onto the road surface from moving
vehicles in an amount of 20 to 60 gallons per lane mile (GPLM), which is
200 to 600 pounds per lane mile, which is also equivalent to 0.48 to 1.44
ounces per square yard. The composition may also be applied after snow and
ice has accumulated in order to melt said snow and ice.
There are no known or identified hazards to humans, animals or the
environment from the handling, storing, or using steepwater concentrate.
Condensed steepwater is currently used as a low grade animal feed additive
or for other low value uses.
The composition of the present invention can also be cost effectively
utilized by airports to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on
runways and taxiways. Many airports today use glycols for deicing an
airplane's wings and stabilizers, for which the airports must pay sewage
treatment processing fees for treatment of the runoff. Such fees can range
up to $3.00 per gallon of glycol-contaminated water. Further testing may
show that the composition of the present invention can be used to replace
the use of glycol for these purposes. The elimination of glycol is better
for the environment and avoids the need for processing glycol contaminated
water, which process demands the utmost in quality control techniques.
The steepwater concentrate of a wet milling process for corn of the present
invention has a typical composition as follows:
______________________________________
DRY BASIS CONDENSED
ITEM (No Moisture)
(48% solids/52% Moisture)
______________________________________
Crude Protein
33.0% 16.0
Crude Fat 0.2% 0.1%
Acid Degergent
0.66% 0.32%
Fiber
Phosphorus
2.31% 1.12%
Calcium 0.02% 0.01%
Sulfur 0.56% 0.27%
Potassium 2.74% 1.32%
Magnesium 1.08% 0.52%
Sodium 0.13% 0.06%
Iron 145 ppm 70 ppm
Aluminum 22 ppm 10 ppm
Manganese 34 ppm 17 ppm
Copper 8 ppm 4 ppm
Zinc 140 ppm 68 ppm
Total Ash 27% 5.4-21.68%
______________________________________
The main advantages of the composition according to the present invention
may be summarized as follows:
1) The composition of the present invention is neither unacceptably
corrosive nor environmentally damaging. This is a significant advantage
over known compositions which damage vehicles, road ways, and the
surrounding environment.
2) The composition of the present invention has a freezing point below
0.degree. F. It is liquid and free flowing at +10.degree. F., and can be
easily sprayed and applied to road surfaces or accumulated ice or snow at
ambient temperatures. The composition can also be heated before its
application.
3) The composition can be applied in comparatively small amounts because
once applied to the road surface, the composition of the present invention
tends to remain in place and is not easily blown away by the wind or by
the action of passing traffic, and the composition tends to prevent the
adherence of snow and ice to the surfaces upon which it is applied.
4) The composition can be applied during any prevailing temperature and/or
prior to impending snow and ice storms.
5) The composition can easily be applied to the roadways with uniformity
using readily available equipment without any special training for the
application crews.
6) The composition can be applied in the form of a solution, which allows
for quick and even application by vehicles, even at speeds of 35 mph or
more.
7) The composition is a low grade, low price industrial by-product
available in large quantities in many of the states located in the Snow
Belt. Its availability in potential market areas will help keep costs down
because the proximity of the solution to the problem areas reduces the
transportation costs.
8) The composition is a renewable agricultural by-product and its
commercial usage will help support U.S. farmers and the agricultural
industry.
9) The composition of the present invention is biodegradable, and yet has a
low biological oxygen demand (BOD). The BOD of a substance is a unit-less
number that represents the ratio of oxygen utilized (in lbs.) per pound of
said substance. The BOD in effect represents the metabolic needs of
aerobic microorganisms in organicly rich matter. Most known deicers are
not bio-degradable (and hence have a BOD of 0) - - - instead, they
accumulate and become poisonous to the environment. One known deicer which
is biodegradable is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), but the present
invention has a substantially lower BOD than does CMA.
10) The composition of the present invention can be cost effectively
utilized by airports to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on
runways and taxiways, hence eliminating or further reducing the need for
other chemical deicers which are known to be environmentally unfriendly.
Summary of Testing
Further details of the present invention are to be found in the following
test results without limiting the scope of protection to the specified
mixture of composition of the present invention. For the tests, mill run
steepwater, concentrated at approximately 50% by weight of dry substance,
is applied at an external temperature of 14.degree. F. to a 3.5 inch thick
snow sheet of approximately 20 square yards without any additive. For
comparison, a readily recognized and available mixture of industrial salts
and sand is applied to a second 3.5 inch thick snow sheet of approximately
20 square yards in a nearby location. It was found that the melting effect
of the composition having a dry substance content of 50% by weight is
superior to that of the mixture of salt and sand, both in duration of
effect and the strength of activity. The composition of the present
invention having a dry substance content of 50% by weight exhibited a
melting effect one hour and a half earlier than the mixture of salt and
sand. Moreover, the 50% concentration of the present invention is active
even at temperatures as low as 7.5.degree. F, while the melting effect of
the salt and sand mixture slows and completely stops at approximately
20.degree. F.
Further testing was done utilizing varying concentration of steepwater,
varying between 30% and 60% by weight of dry substance, and at various
ambient temperatures. Tests were conducted for anti-icing prior to icing,
as well as for deicing subsequent to icing. In all cases the results of
the steepwater product were equal to superior to the other known,
currently used deicing agents.
Additional testing has been performed to evaluate the composition of the
present invention for corrosiveness, biological degradation demands, and
efficacy at varying temperatures. The results are discussed below.
Corrosion Tests
Mild steel bolts were immersed in various concentrations of steepwater.
After four months of immersion, the bolts showed virtually no evidence of
rust or oxidation. Laboratory corrosion tests measured the corrosive
effect at 0.53 mils per year (MPY), which is much lower than any other
chemical deicing agent and is a small fraction of the corrosiveness of
pure water.
Mild steel bolts were sprayed regularly with various concentrations of
steepwater. After four months of regular spraying, the bolts showed
virtually no evidence of rust or oxidation. Instead of corroding, the
bolts appeared to have been sealed by a layer of dried steepwater, which
coating appeared to be protective rather than destructive.
The following tables summarizes some of the test results:
______________________________________
MATERIAL CORROSION (mils per year - MPY)
______________________________________
Mild Steel 0.50
Stainless Steel
None detectable
Aluminum None detectable
______________________________________
In comparison, mild steel bolts subjected to similar test conditions as
described above, but utilizing mixtures of water and with 5%
concentrations of various chloride salts, exhibited extreme corrosion,
rust, and deterioration.
Environmental Tests
Tests were performed to measure the biological oxygen demand (in pounds)
per pound of various mixtures of the composition of the present invention.
Again, the BOD represents the metabolic needs of aerobic microorganisms in
organic matter. Results appear below:
______________________________________
CONCENTRATION BOD DEMAND (lb. of O.sub.2
(by weight) per lb. of material)
______________________________________
25% solids .13-.15
48% solids .21-.26
______________________________________
The composition of the present invention is currently used as a low grade
animal feed additive. Because it is widely accepted by the livestock
industries and is not known to leave deleterious traces of any harmful
substances in the animals being fed, it is believed to be completely safe
to the environment and safe to handle as well.
Freezing, Deicing, and Anti-Icing Tests
The following results describe the consistency of a mixture of the present
invention concentrated at 48% solids:
______________________________________
TEMPERATURE (.degree.F.)
DESCRIPTION
______________________________________
+20 Free Flowing Liquid
+10 Thin Syrup
0 Thick Molasses
-20 Thick Putty-like
______________________________________
The following table summarizes the freezing points and provides more
quantitative information on a typical mill run steepwater solution
containing approximately 50% solubles:
__________________________________________________________________________
SOLUTION FREEZING VISCOSITY
CONCENTRATION
TEMPERATURE
(SSU) BOD pH
__________________________________________________________________________
(.degree.Brix)
(.degree.Baume)
(.degree.F.)
(@20.degree. F.)
(@70.degree. F.)
50 30 0 475 195 .235
4.2
__________________________________________________________________________
"Brix" is the measurement on a hydrometer scale that indicates the
relative percentage by weight of a substance in solution. "Baume" is a
measurement on a hydrometer scale that indicates the specific gravity of
substance.
While the melting effect of chloride salts is limited (ineffective below
approximately 20.degree. F.), the melting effect of the composition of the
present invention, as demonstrated by the tables above, is active even at
temperatures as low as 7.5.degree. F.
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